Honkers quiet Bears for control of SVL

Two teams with a healthy dose of respect for each other squared off in a showdown with Sacramento Valley League title implications Thursday in Arbuckle.

The Honkers made the trip south on Interstate 5 from Willows and escaped with a 3-1 victory after coming back to win a crucial second game after being down 22-15, to win 28-26.

Pierce fought back, winning the third game, but the surge didn't carry over into the deciding fourth game and Willows won 25-22, 28-26, 21-25, 25-17.

Willows setter Colleen Tade guided her team with precision passing and often looked like a middle blocker, a position she played until last season, she said.

"My freshman and sophomore year I was a middle but we didn't really have a setter so I switched," Tade said. "I'm most comfortable in the front row so that's my favorite place to just...kill."

The two teams entered Thursday's contest tied atop the SVL standings with identical 3-0 league records, and the first game showed both teams were prepared for the challenge.

Neither team led by more than three points and the lead changed six times before Tade surprised the Bears with a well-placed set over the net into an empty space for the game-winner.

"They were a really good defensive team and they had some good hitters," she said. "They dug up most of our hits so that was awesome, well not awesome but good to see such a good game."

Pierce (16-2, 3-1 SVL) stormed out to a 3-1 lead after outside hitter Trisha Abele scored three kills and Molly Geyer put away two more while the Bears built an 8-2 lead.

The Bears continued to control the game until Honkers' coach Carol Martin called a timeout down 17-11.

During the timeout Martin calmed her team down and told them to focus on teamwork and having fun.

"When we have fun out there it's hard to beat us because they're positive, they're happy and they're doing their job," Martin said.

Back-to-back aces by Megan Hughes made it three Honkers' points in a row after the timeout, and Mary Feeney soon tied the game at 23-23 with a kill.

The teams traded points the rest of the way until Willows (25-6, 4-0 SVL) clinching the second game 28-26.

"It's exciting to see my girls play like they'd been coached to do, it was the best match we played in a really long time," Martin said. "They rose to the occasion and I'm really proud of them."

The second game letdown continued for Pierce in the third game and Willows jumped out to a 15-9 lead. Sara Nunez blocked consecutive shots to pull within one point and the lead changed hands four times before Abele put the Bears on top 22-21.

Willows called a timeout but Abele came back with another kill and, after the Honkers made a mistake to set up the game point, Abele put away the game-winner to keep Pierce alive. Abele finished the match with 13 kills for the Bears.

"I knew that they were a well-coached team and they would be digging up a lot of our balls," Martin said. "We haven't had anyone quite this tough since probably Hamilton."

Tade once again took over in the fourth game with three blocks, and for the first time all match Pierce began to fade. Tade blocked six shots in the match.

"They have great hitters, they've always had great hitters," Pierce coach Kim Travis said. "They do a great job at hitting around the block and we didn't do that tonight."

Hughes and Feeney tied for the Honkers' team lead with 11 kills and Ally Brunner slammed home nine.

The Honkers outplayed Pierce in two areas, according to Travis.

"It's frustrating because I've always, always told the girls that you have to pass and serve well," she said. "Our passing was mediocre and we missed eight serves. You can't miss that many serves in one match."

Pierce has a chance at redemption on Nov. 1 when the two teams meet again in the second-to-last game of the season in Willows.

"I personally never underestimate Willows, the four years I've been at Pierce they have been the school we've battled with," Travis said.

The league matches continue on Tuesday when Willows hosts Trinity and Pierce travels to Colusa.

CONTACT Kirk Barron at 458-2121 or kbarron@tcnpress.com.